Aldi pledges to ‘definitely’ open in Bakewell

Michael Broomhead

Supermarket giant Aldi has pledged to ‘definitely’ open a store in Bakewell – after a legal threat was dropped.

Litton Properties sought a judicial review after the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) approved plans for the Aldi store near Riverside Business Park.

The company – which owns Riverside and planned to open a food store within the business park – claimed its ambitious proposals were not fully considered when the Aldi application was passed last year.

This week it emerged Litton Properties has now withdrawn its challenge and agreed to reimburse legal costs to Aldi and the PDNPA.

Litton Properties has also agreed not to pursue an appeal in relation to its food store plans.

Glen Stidever, property director for Aldi, said: “We’re very pleased the legal challenge has been dropped.

“There was overwhelming support for our proposal from residents and representatives and we know local people will share our delight at the outcome.

“Unfortunately, as a result of the legal challenge from Riverside, the store construction had to be removed from the build programme for 2017.

“We will keep the community updated as our focus shifts to demolishing the existing properties on site and accommodating the construction within our programme as soon as possible.”

An Aldi spokesman said the store would ‘definitely’ open in the future on the site of the former Cintride factory on Ashford Road.

The development will create up to 40 permanent jobs and Aldi will also provide funds to buy a new bus for Bakewell and Eyam Community Transport to improve links between the new store and Bakewell residents.

We asked Litton Properties why it decided to withdraw the judicial review, whether its food store plans have a future and how much money it has paid in legal costs to Aldi and the PDNPA.

However, Litton Properties had not responded to requests for a comment as we went to press.